The Mayans were notoriously clever. The splendid ruins of their advanced civilization lie all around the luxury Tulum resort of Azulik, taking visitors back to the time when humans and their surroundings were in much closer harmony. Azulik’s greatest asset is precisely this way of blending ancient feelings and wonders with a contemporary outlook. One of the major draws is the Maya Spa, which provides a large list of treatments that range from familiar Western techniques to ancient healing skills and relaxation treatments, including traditional Mayan massages. Photo by: ninahale

The ocean-side resort is also well known for its fifteen wooden villas, each with its own thatched roof and authentic decoration. Located on a cliff top, the villas offer outstanding sea views, especially Numbers 1 and 12 – both perfect for incurable romantics and honeymooners. Strolling along the white-sand beach, clad in as much or as little as you wish, is as a memorable experience as kayak trips around the coral reefs or hiking through tropical forest. Photo by: holly.worton

You can also just relax in your villa, enjoy sea breeze on your own patio, or take a dip in your hand-carved bathtub. There is no electricity at Azulik; come evening candlelight provides an enchanting ambiance as the Mexican nights descend. It is unique feeling to close one’s eyes, listen to the nocturnal soundtrack of the jungle, and reflect that the Mayan spirit that left such a mementos cultural imprint. Photo by: holly.worton

Location: Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Photo by: holly.worton

You know you have come to the right place when the hotel manager offers a complimentary head and neck massage as soon as you have checked in. Overlooking the glimmering Sea of Cortez and Pacific Ocean in a breathtakingly natural setting, the Esperanza resort has fifty casitas (small villas) and six luxury suites spread across 17acres (7 ha) of land. Photo by: che_hyder

From the outside, the resort resembles a Mexican village, with casitas connected to the resort’s facilities via traditional stone footpaths. The interiors are decidedly elegant, decorated with original Mexican artworks, handcrafted furnishing, and fine Italian linens. Many have large outdoor terraces with views of the ocean, and in-room amenities include fully stocked minibars and entertainment centers, plus roomy bathrooms with gorgeous complimentary products. The six luxury villas some of which  are situated on a secluded beach, boast larger dimensions as well as private pools and butler service. Photo by: thejackal053

You can dine alfresco at the Mediterranean-inspired restaurant at Esperanza, which is carved into the bluffs overlooking the Sea of Cortez and offers 180-degree views of each table. The bar serves appetizers and snacks together with an extensive tequila and cigar menu. With more one of one hundreds different kind of tequila to choose from, a visit to the bar can be a little dangerous, although the abundance of activities on offer will soon cure any morning-after fatigue. Photo by: bingo8

You can go whale watching and take a sea trip on a glass-bottom boat as well as fish, surf, dive, and windsurf. Not a water fan? Take a guided tour through the desert and along empty beaches, have a game of tennis, play golf, or ride a horse. Or there are always more of those luxurious massages available in wonderful all-natural spa. Photo by: thejackal053

Modern-day fairy tales do not come much better than this. Cuixmala is a hot resort where luxurious villas are tucked away in a vast 25,000-acre (10,117-ha) ecological reserve fringed by golden beaches. This is a private sanctuary in more ways than one. Come there to rest your head, laze on deserted beaches, and get close nature. Then discover the birds and animals that have made their home in this eco-reserve – from jaguars and sea turtles to exotic zebras and antelopes. Photo by: flickrimagesearch

The top house is Casa La Loma with its distinctive blue and yellow striped dome. It looks like a castle and has a view out across the empty beach of Costa Alegre to the rolling Pacific surf. There are four other villas, fully staffed and decorated in sumptuous Mexican and European designs, as well as nine comfortable casitas (small villas) with a shared pool, clubhouse, and restaurant. Make yourself at home, then explore the organic farm on horseback, past mango and papaya trees, citrus orchards, and all those beaches. Photo by: Max Stuedlein

Some are perfect for kayaking and snorkeling; other have hammocks strung between coconut palms to escape the sun. Enjoy a picnic on a stretch of unspoiled beach, followed by a boat trip across the lagoon where you can watch the sunset as well as spot dolphins and whales. Finish a day with a cold margarita. Photo by: Maddog 2007

Celebrities adore this superb eco retreat. Food served in the gourmet dining room has been grown originally at the ranch of highland farm, and the two-tiered seating in the screening room has Indian pillow-topped settees the size of double beds. Location: Jalisco, Mexico. Photo by: Maddog 2007

Located in the confluence of the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, Isla Contoy is the most important nesting place for seabirds in all of the Mexican Caribbean. The little island, just 5 miles long, is a protected nature reserve and a well-known spot for an eco-adventure. Photo by: Judy Knesel

Just 200 visitors are allowed on its silky-sand shores every day, arriving in boats that run from Isla Mujeres or Cancun (approximately a two-hour trip). There you can sit on the beach and watch the brown pelicans and double-crested cormorants on the water, or head inland to the Puerto Viejo lagoon, an important nesting site. Climbing up the observation tower provides you with a great view of the whole island. Photo by: mario-949

It is no just the birds that love to nest there. Isla Contoy is an important nesting site for four types of sea turtle, with white-sand beaches giving them the chance to bury their eggs undistributed. The water around the island is crystal clear, so you can see from your boat what is going on under the sea: great manta rays swooping around and plenty of tropical fish against a backdrop of coral. Photo by: mario-949

Boat trips to the island typically stop at the lxlache reef so that visitors can go snorkeling. Giant stingray, primary-colored parrot fish, clown fish, barracuda, and angel fish are just some of the species you might see – not to mention the turtles. Every summer visitors have the chance to see the world’s largest living fish pass by Cancun – a safari. A trip to the island is certainly an adventurous addition to any journey to this part of the Mexican coast and is not be missed. Photo by: mario-949

If you are looking for the perfect Eco retreat this has to be your place. The Hotelito Desconocido is a heaven for nature lovers on the midst of a huge bird and turtle reserve in the wetlands, between the sierra Madre Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. There is a touch of magic in the air, as guests are rowed from the main hotel’s lodge across the estuary to their beachside huts, where cacti poke out of the sand.

The colourful rooms are basic yet perfectly charming. Without electricity, the only amenities are a shower, sink and toilet, as well as a mosquito-netted bed. You can lounge sleepily in shaded hammocks or on a pristine 65 km beach, where, at dusk, turtle hatchlings dive into the sea under the gaze of relaxed guests. The food there is fittingly simple, healthful, and delicious: calmari salad, seviche, and coconut cake. 

After dark, sip a cold beer or a margarita and chat at the bar, or share a game of pool in the bar’s dim twilight. Turn-down service involves dozen of tea lights twinkling in the dark and in lieu of room service, you can hoist a flag up outside your window to indicate you would like a delivery of fresh Mexican coffee and cookies before breakfast. It is different and rather romantic. 

It is quite impossible to remain in touch with the rest of the world there, but that is the entire point. With the coolest village a few miles away, Hotelito makes sure you are in the world of your own. Madonna, Mick Jagger, and Quentin Tarantino have all hidden out there. 

Photos by: -photoholics-

The city of Monterrey lies at the foothills of Mexico’s storied Sierra Madre, surrounded on all sides by a breathtaking landscape of mountains, deserts, canyons and forests. Habita Monterrey, the latest hotel from Mexico’s award-winning Grupo Habita. Inside the hotel’s sixties-style exterior, Parisian visionary Joseph Dirand has created a dramatic and hyper-modern interior in black, white and grey with furniture from avant-garde designer Rick Owens. Photo by: Pascal Rohner, pd-sign.ch

The hotel has 28 rooms, ten suites and one penthouse with private living room, gym and terrace. Each room comes equipped with Aesop amenities, flat screen television, wireless Internet, iPod dock station, Xbox Elite and Nokia N810 Tablet. Photo by: Pascal Rohner, pd-sign.ch

Hotel facilities include two rooftop pools, a wellness fitness centre, steam room, sauna and business centre with meeting space for up to 12 people. The cool concrete roof bar offers stunning 360-degree views over the desert metropolis and Sierra Madre beyond, while the first-storey terrace serves as the ideal location in which to enjoy Chef Enrique Olvera’s gastronomic masterpieces. Photo by: Pascal Rohner, pd-sign.ch

Restaurant by Enrique Olvera is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Terrace by Enrique Olvera is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks. Roof-top “Pool Bar” is open for snacks and cocktails. When you book your stay at least 21 days in advance, you can benefit from the Advance Purchase Rate, which gives you a discount of 15% on the Standard Rate. Photo by: AirNigeria

The luxurious eco-camp can be found on a distant beach on an unspoiled island in Mexico’s Sea of Cortez, a one hour boat ride from La Paz. There are no high-rise buildings or noisy clubs, just the sounds of the nature. Baja Camp offers large ten-person tents house beds, soft linen, and warm showers. The biggest tent is a large dining area and lounge, with comfortable chairs to sink into.

Freshly caught fish and shellfish are a highlight of the Mexican cuisine on offer. Fresh yourself with a huge selection of tropical fruits in the morning. You can snorkel with sea lions, dive to see manta rays, sharks and school of darting, colourful fish or take kayaks out to explore nearby coves. Go drift fishing on the camp boats or try the trill of sport fishing to catch marlin, tuna, wahoo, yellowtail, and mahimahi. The camp is only open from June to September. 

Photos by: ChoiceCamps.com

White Sands National Monument – a 275-square-mile desert of soft sands in New Mexico, adjacent to the military base where the first atomic bomb was detonated in 1945, is one of the most serene places in the world. The paradox of finding such tranquility so near to destruction only underlines its beauty. Photo by: eqqman

In the middle of the day during the summer, the temperature regularly reaches 100 degree Fahrenheit ( 38 degree Celsius), and whiteness of the wavelike dunes of sand threatens to dazzle you completely. When the sun goes down, behind the San Andreas Mountains, the land is bathed in a mysterious rosy light. At night time life is more than enough, with 210 species of bird, 44 mammal species, and 26 different reptiles, as well as insects coming to play. Lizards, oryx antelopes, turtles, lynx and kangaroo rats run across the sand leaving a maze of traces. Photo by: Leviathor

Visit the museum set on Highway 70 to understand the area’s fascinating history and geography. The desert is the world’s largest gypsum dune field, 1,200 m high. Take the driving loop and stop for a walk into the pristine white dunes. The light is magnificent and will guarantee some of the best photographs. Photo by: Mr. Mark

When the sun begins to set, make sure you keep an eye out for Pavla Blanca, the ghost of Manuela, a sixteenth-century beauty who is reputed to roam the dunes in search of her beloved husband, the conquistador Hernando de Luna. Photo by: Ozyman

An extreme environment devoid of humans, White Sands has a dreamlike quality. These beautiful and immaculate dunes could be on an another planet. Photo by: eqqman

Location: Tularosa Basin, New Mexico.

Located on the sheltered bay side of the Caribbean, it offers all the comforts and amenities of a deluxe resort. Barcelo Costa is located in the magnificent Playa Lindo area of Cancun, Mexico. Only five minutes away from the downtown area and 10 minutes from the Cancun International Airport. Hotel offers 24 hour All Inclusive facilities and a family-friendly vibe.

The Barcelo Costa Hotel Cancun has 357 one and two bedroom guestrooms, each with a beautiful ocean or garden view. Superior rooms have a king-size or 2 double beds, air-conditioning, iron, minibar, coffee maker, telephone, radio and safety deposit box.

Food good and great varied range. Restaurant “Albatros” allows you to eat all you can at your leisure. And Beach Bar: Relax under a Mexican palapa with an amazing view of the Mexican Caribbean.

Amenities: Swimming Pool, Meeting Facilities, Babysitting, Restaurant in Hotel, Kitchen, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Water Skiing, Fishing.  The golf course in Pok ta Pok is located just a short distance away.

La Purificadora Boutique Hotel is located in the oldest part of the historic center of Puebla, Mexico.  Designed by Legorreta + Legorreta, the hotel occupies the remains of 1844 stone-walled factory and successfully blends 19th century architecture with modern design. The Boutique Hotel has colonial heritage and is registered as historical patrimony, which must be respected as part of the new design project.

The rooftop terrace bar has become the latest hotspot in Puebla and buzzes till the early hours with a young, stylish crowd. The open-to-the-sky lobby area with a sweeping staircase offers spectacular views of the city. Other highlights include a 30-meter elevated glass-walled swimming pool and a restaurant with an outdoor patio.
 

The 26 rooms, identified by letters of the alphabet, are not huge but the expansive floor-to-ceiling window or balcony door and transparent closets lend a feeling of light and space. The minimalist design blends glass, dark stone and heavy wood features, adding splashes of purple for a more playful feel.

The materials used are: stone from the original construction, old wood that contrast with the contemporary materials such as glass and steel incorporated in to the new design, as well as specially designed floor tiles for the bedrooms floors and onyx in the restrooms. Bottles and glass fragments are also integrated in the hotel’s graphic design.

Tulum is located on the southern edge of Mexico’s Riviera Maya. The place is unique, a strip of beach and jungle peppered with stylish haute-bohemian huts and ancient ruins overlooking the Caribbean. The may site in Tulum may have been also known by the name Zama, meaning city of Dawn.

Tulum has architecture typical of Maya sites. Among some of the more spectacular buildings at the site is the Temple of the Frescoes, that included a lower gallery and a smaller second story gallery. The archeological city of Tulum is compact and best-preserved coastal Maya sites. The modern tourism development along the Mexican Caribbean coastline has made it a popular destination for tourists. A large number of cenotes are located in the Tulum area, such as Maya Blue, Naharon, Temple of Doom, Tortuga, Vacaha, Grand Cenote, Abejas, Nohoch and cave systems.

You can cool down at the small, but sweet Grand Cenote, a freshwater cave, 20 minutes from Tulum. You can snorkel and dive in there, exploring all the usual suspects: stalagmites, stalactites and a lot of tourists just like you. Entrance fee, 600 pesos, masks, snorkels and flippers.

If you need a massage, visit Ocho Tulum, one of the newer so-called eco-resorts. It has two alluring palapas massage rooms planted just above high tide.

Ocho Tulum also offer a brand new yoga studio and vinyasa classes every morning. The town is a hot spot for yoga tourists.

How to get there: Cancun is four hours from New York City. Round-trip prices this month start at under $400. It is cheaper, and easier, to rent a car than to rely on taxis, even though most of beachfront Tulum is a walking town. Tulum is about 75 miles south of Cancun on Route 307. Be extremely aware of the speed limits: they drop precipitously at each town, and the police are vigilant. Photos: Michael Nagle

One of Mexico’s largest islands, Cozumel lies 20 km from the mainland, and 60 km south of Cancun. It’s flat limestone formation shaped like a holster and pierced by dozens of cenotes (water filled sinkholes), many with their own marine forms, which are an extra attractions for swimmers and snorkellers who come to explore the island’s fantastic offshore reefs. Photo by: kristiankristof

You’ll never get a better chance to appreciate Mayan culture so close to good beaches. The biggest Mayan site, San Gervasio (named much latter), was for centuries sacred to Ix Chel, the goddess of fertility, and one of the Yucatan’s most important sanctuaries. There are several others, recovered from jungle and swampy mangrove lagoons now teeming with cormorants, pelicans, primary-coloured tree frogs, iguanas and crocodiles. Photo by: devildiver

You can see 250 species in its clear waters, including the bright blue-and-yellow queen angelfish, the toad fish and enormous sponges like the barrel and elephant ear, which grows to 3,6 m across. Cozumel is fabulously pretty and exotic place, and you should go there with someone who love and watch the sunset. Photo by: Yankee in Texas

When to go: Year-round. Temperatures average 32 degrees Celsius in July and August, and 24 Celsius in December and January. Come for the traditional feasting, rodeos, bullfights music and fairs of the 5-day Festival of El Cedral in late April and May. Population: 73,193. How to get there: By air to San Miguel from Houston, New York, Miami and Mexico City. Photo by: kristiankristof

Photo by: Rob Inh00d

Riu Palace Riviera Maya is located on one of the most exotic Caribbean beaches. 1.5 miles from Playa del Carmen and 35 minutes from the airport. Surrounded by 35,000 m2 /42,000 sq. yards of lush gardens.

The resort is so well maintained and absolutely spotless in cleanliness. The rooms were very nice and spacious. This spectacular hotel boasts 400 elegant junior suites. 400 stylish rooms, beautifully appointed with dark wooden furnishings and details in tropical colors. All rooms have balconies, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and liquor dispensers.

Hotel amenities include the beach access, continental breakfast room service, outdoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, children’s swimming pool, children’s playground, hairdresser, fitness center, sauna, spa, beauty salon, shop and tennis courts.

Magnificent spa that features a variety of treatments, beauty salon and relaxing massages.

The restaurants cater to international tastes and include Japanese fare at Yashimi, Brazilian specialties at Botafogo and a new a La Carte restaurant called the Krystal Dining Room.

Luis Barrag?n is easily the most influential architect of the 20th century in Mexico. Born in Guadalajara, he created an architectural style that combined modernism with the colonial and pre-Hispanic architecture. The works of Luis Barragan have had an important impact especially on the design of garden and urban design.

The Luis Barragan’s masterpiece is the House in the suburbs of Mexico City. Built in 1948 it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2004. Beyond its stark facade, the Barragan House is a showplace for his use of color, form, light, and shadow.

The house has a total area of 1,161 m2, consists of a ground floor and two upper storeys. The back of the House opens onto the garden creating tranquility away from the urban surroundings. Barragan believed that the garden was just as important as the building itself. This unique building is currently listed with Sotheby’s Realty at a price of $9.95 million.

Today the house is a museum honoring the Barragan’s work. Visitors may tour the living areas, design studio and garden areas, but photographs of it are hard to come by. The Museum is open: Monday to Friday from 10 to 14:00 hrs and 16:00 to 18:00 hrs, and Saturday from 10:00 hrs a 13:00 hrs.

Hotel Basico has a brave concept consists of modeling the entire aesthetic on the industrial oil rigs of 1950 in Mexico. The structure is situated on Playa del Carmen’s exclusive Fifth Avenue shopping and restaurant strip. The hotel offers rooms looking out onto a central mess hall-like restaurant area (best fish tacos in the ‘hood).

Above is a rooftop cocktail bar that includes luxurious cabanas made from the back of old trucks with inbuilt mattresses, two concrete petroleum tanks that serve as swimming pools. From the pools you can sip old-school margaritas and look down on the crowds below and out to the Caribbean. Breezy lounge music and handsome hotel staff waft the building.

Each room has exposed pipes with fire hydrant-style taps run along the walls. An industrial-strength bath and the king-sized, multi-purpose bed (perched on an elevated palate) sit in the middle of the room. Everything is exposed and raw; the toilet is the only thing in the room concealed. There are rubber curtains on the floor-to-ceiling window and pulley chain detailing throughout. The signage around the hotel references the typography of Mexican taxis from the 1950s. Superbly construction-worker chic!

Be sure to borrow the hotel snorkeling gear and visit the surrounding cenotes (underwater caverns teaming with colorful fish).